Business, international

The immediate 20-point drop in the Bangkok Stock Exchange following the parliamentary address of Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon indicated the market's view of Suchinda's control over the popular protest against his leadership. Although the market recovered the day after, with the Stock Exchange of Thailand index rising on what was believed to be military support, business executives had already shown hesitancy in investing further in the Thai economy. Government economists feel that the uncertain political situation could debilitate the Thai economy in the long-run.

River of promise

Article Abstract:

The Mekong River Region of southeastern Asia has an enormous capacity for economic growth. Six nations comprise this region: China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Several factors including rough topography and a lack of infrastructure have hampered economic development to date. Representatives of the six nations conferred in Manila, the Philippines, Aug 30-31, 1993 about how to overcome these problems. They agreed that the Asian Development Bank should organize key transportation projects including the building of new roads and railways.

Limited damage

Article Abstract:

The May 1992 massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators in Bangkok is not expected to seriously affect the economic growth of Thailand for that same year. At the most, GDP growth projections would be reduced by a mere 0.8%. Although tourism and the property market are the most affected by the political crisis, tourism revenue is still expected to match the previous year's level.